BSc in Video Game Development
Birmingham City University
Key Information
Campus location
Birmingham, United Kingdom
Languages
English
Study format
On-Campus
Duration
2 years
Pace
Full time
Tuition fees
GBP 11,100 / per year *
Application deadline
Request info
Earliest start date
Sep 2024
* UK students: £11,100 per year | international students: £16,870 per year
Scholarships
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Introduction
Do you want to turn your passion for video games into a rewarding career? Apply for one of the only video games degree courses of its kind in Europe, designed to produce ‘work ready’ graduates for the industry. With access to PlayStation 4 developer kits and real game briefs, this two-year fast-track degree can prepare you to work for companies such as Sega and Sony.
Interactive entertainment and video game development are key sectors for contemporary culture, economic growth and employment, whether that be locally, nationally or globally.
Our BSc (Hons) Video Game Development course responds to this growing and innovative sector by developing skilled, team-orientated, reflexive graduate professionals ready to succeed in the sector. On the course, you will learn the most important programming languages for game development, as well as industry-standard game development tools such as Unity and Unreal.
This accelerated two-year course gives you a guaranteed video game development placement in our in-house studio, taking place over the summer term of the course. The workplace simulation approach of our department (School of Games, Film and Animation) has been championed by the influential 2009 Livingstone, Hope Next Gen Report which cited us as a national best practice example for developing new talent.
What's covered in this course?
Developing you as a professional developer
The course covers core programming languages and video game development tools, as well as contemporary agile software development techniques to make you a competent and adaptable programmer, capable of finding employment in the sector or preparing you for further academic study.
The course starts with introducing you to computer programming by teaching you the most valuable langue for developing interaction online, JavaScript. You’ll then be introduced to C# and object-oriented software and will be given a range of interactive products to develop using both languages. As you move into your second year of study, you’ll concentrate on the most powerful and efficient language for game development, such as C++
Your first position in the video game industry
Building upon your core language and software development skills, in the first year you will be tasked with a specific role within our in-house game development studio over the summer term. This work experience gives you the opportunity to apply the knowledge and professional practices you’ve learnt on the course in a safe and supportive environment. Typically for these projects, you’ll be using industry-standard game development tools such as Unity and Unreal.
These summer projects have in the past been mentored and supported by external partners including Red Bee Media, FreeStyleGames and Codemasters. The work students produce during these summer placements can act as excellent portfolio pieces, which demonstrate their ability as both professional artists and effective team members.
Putting you in control of your final project
Throughout the two years, you will be provided with a structured programme of learning, in line with your chosen specialism of video game development. The course culminates with a project you define yourself which uses a specific programming language and technology you have learned in the course, such as JavaScript, C#, C++, Three.js, SFML, Unity and Unreal.
You have the choice of either proposing your own individual project or collaborating with other students to create another video game project for your portfolio.
Best-of-class facilities and staff
Teaching takes place in a modern production studio based in Birmingham city centre, where you’ll be provided with studio space to complete your projects.
You will be taught by staff with significant experience in the video game development industry, having worked with game developers including Psygnosis, Rage Software, Codemasters, FreeStyleGames and EA Games.
Real experience
By the time you graduate, a whole year before most students, you’ll have two years of tangible games development studio experience under your belt, ready to launch your dream career as a games developer.
Alternatively, you can choose to apply for one of our one-year Gamer Camp courses, to gain even more in-depth skills, and experience.
Why choose us?
- This fast-track programme provides a rare opportunity to secure a BSc (Hons) degree in only two years.
- Top 5 for Animation and Game Design (Guardian League Tables 2023).
- Teaching is delivered by our team of industry practitioners, who collectively have over 100 years of video game industry experience, having worked on franchises such as EA’s ‘Battlefield’, Codemaster’s ‘Formula 1’ and Sega’s ‘Sonic’. They have also taught, trained and mentored students, graduates and practitioners, who are now successful industry developers, working at studios and publishers which include Ubisoft, Microsoft and Rockstar North.
- During the two-year course, you’ll work on numerous projects with periodic input from industry partners. Previous partners and mentors have included Codemasters, Pixel Toys, Sony Interactive Entertainment Europe, Microsoft’s Rare Studio and Rockstar North.
- On the course, you’ll learn a range of new skills and programming disciplines relevant and appropriate for careers in the field of video game development such as gameplay, tools, VFX, AI and UI programming.
- This course will develop you to be able to move into employment, or further study, for example on our Industry-recognised Master’s Course, Gamer Camp, which is a finishing school for game developers (coders, artists, designers and producers) based in Birmingham City University.
Curriculum
Year one
During the first year, modules may include practical sessions, lectures and group debates, featuring input from both University staff and guest lecturers from the industry, providing you with a wide range of practical knowledge and insight.
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 180 credits):
- Computer Science and Web Technologies Primer
- Object-Oriented Programming
- 3D Graphics Primer
- Theory and Practice using Physics Engines
- Collaborative Project
Year two
In order to complete this course you must successfully complete all the following core modules (totalling 180 credits):
- High-Performance Programming Languages
- Application of High-Performance Libraries
- Development using High-Performance Engines
- Professional Practice
- Major Project
Career Opportunities
Experience on the course
Courses within the School of Games, Film and Animation are built upon workplace simulation and industry-standard work, ensuring you behave less like a student and more like a professional, gaining the workplace experience and attributes you need.
As well as gaining course-specific skills, you could also gain broader tools through our Graduate+ programme, which will help enhance your employment options by helping with career development, employability activities, volunteering and part-time work experience.
Leading up to and upon graduation
At the end of your studies, you’ll complete a final major project, which may lead you to work directly with a client. This direct contact will give you the experience, confidence and freedom to put into action all you’ve learned in your studies. Allied with this course-specific experience, you will also have access to a range of support staff and services from the University’s Careers Service, who can help with:
- Reviewing CVs, covering letters and application forms
- Career planning and decision making
- Preparing for interviews and assessment centres
- Developing portfolios
- Networking with employers
- Advice about self-employment and entrepreneurship
Placements
During the summer term of your first year, you will have the opportunity to work in a video game development team as part of the in-house placement element of the course. Previous, projects have included a ‘Doctor Who’ interactive comic book project with the BBC and Red Bee Media, an integrated web and mobile suite of mini-games with The Wellcome Trust and Xtreme Drone Racing with Sony PlayStation First.